About Ballet Dancers

Dancing as a profession is a lifelong pursuit, beginning early (sometimes as young as age two) and continuing through many years of difficult training while one’s body is molded and trained in ballet technique. Most dancers typically begin auditioning for companies in their late teens. Because of the tremendous physical stamina required to dance and the rigorous and demanding schedule of a dancer, most dancers’ careers are quite short. The average age for retirement of classical ballet dancers is in their early thirties, although many performers have gone on to dance for many years beyond this. Learn more about the lives of ballet dancers below.